Malaria, Moderate to Severe Anaemia, and Malarial Anaemia in Children at Presentation to Hospital in the Mount Cameroon Area: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele,Helen Kuokuo Kimbi,Sharon Odmia Sama,Germain Sotoing Taiwe

doi:10.1155/2016/5725634

Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele, Helen Kuokuo Kimbi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5725634

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Journal: Anemia	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
Citations: 35	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Buea, University of Bamenda

Abstract

Background. Malaria remains a major killer of children in Sub-Saharan Africa, while anaemia is a public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Examining the factors associated with moderate to severe anaemia (MdSA) and malarial anaemia as well as the haematological characteristics is essential. Methodology. Children (1–14 years) at presentation at the Regional Hospital Annex-Buea were examined clinically and blood samples were collected for malaria parasite detection and full blood count evaluation. Results. Plasmodium falciparum, anaemia, and malarial anaemia occurred in 33.8%, 62.0%, and 23.6% of the 216 children, respectively. Anaemia prevalence was significantly higher in malaria parasite positive children and those with fever than their respective counterparts. MdSA and moderate to severe malarial anaemia (MdSMA) were detected in 38.0% and 15.3% of the participants, respectively. The prevalence of MdSA was significantly higher in children whose household head had no formal education, resided in the lowland, or was febrile, while MdSMA was significantly higher in febrile children only. Children with MdSMA had significantly lower mean white blood cell, lymphocyte, and platelet counts while the mean granulocyte count was significantly higher. Conclusion. Being febrile was the only predictor of both MdSA and MdSMA. More haematological insult occurred in children with MdSMA compared to MdSA.

Highlights

Malaria remains a major killer of children in Sub-Saharan Africa, while anaemia is a public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality
Moderate to severe anaemia was defined as haemoglobin concentration (Hb) < 10 g/dL and moderate to severe malarial anaemia defined as malaria parasite positive + Hb < 10 g/dL
The consent of 254 children at presentation to the general outpatient department in the Regional Hospital Annex-Buea was sought for their participation in the study of the burden of malaria, moderate to severe anaemia (MdSA), and moderate to severe malarial anaemia (MdSMA)

Summary

Introduction

Malaria remains a major killer of children in Sub-Saharan Africa, while anaemia is a public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Examining the factors associated with moderate to severe anaemia (MdSA) and malarial anaemia as well as the haematological characteristics is essential. MdSA and moderate to severe malarial anaemia (MdSMA) were detected in 38.0% and 15.3% of the participants, respectively. While malaria is one of the factors that contributes to the public health problem of anaemia in children in Cameroon [2, 6, 7], in almost all countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, anaemia is a moderate or severe public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality [8]. WHO malaria report [1] stated that, in most malaria endemic areas, less than half of patients with suspected malaria infection are truly infected with a malaria

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